MetricsBy the Local SEO Heatmap teamPublished 3 min read
Average Rank Position (ARP)
The headline metric for a grid and the one trap in how it is calculated.
Average Rank Position is the mean of your rank across every pin in the grid. Lower is better.
The trap: unranked pins
If you do not appear at a pin there is no rank to average. Some tools silently treat that pin as 21 and then show '#21' in a green card, which is misleading. We count unranked pins as 21 for the ARP but always show the number of unranked pins next to it, and the card turns red when most pins are unranked.
When to use it
ARP is good for trend lines over months. It is poor for judging a single scan, where the heatmap shape tells you far more.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Average Rank Position?
Under 3 means you are usually in the map pack across the area. Between 3 and 10 you are visible but beaten. Always read it next to the share of pins in the top 3.
How are unranked pins counted?
We count a pin where you are not in the top 20 as rank 21 for the average, and show the number of unranked pins beside it so the figure is never misleading.